Discourse I: Reasoning and Values

Discourse I: Reasoning and Values

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Course Description:

Discourse 100:Reasoning and Values: “Discourse” refers to the language, images, styles, genres, behaviors and other forms of communication used by specific social and professional groups. The techniques of discourse analysis and language awareness taught in this course will enable you to position yourself socially and professionally, helping you understand the reasoning and values, discourse conventions, and “commonsense” assumptions that create and define academic, political, professional, and other discourse formations and communities. Students will produce, perform, and analyzecollege-level, oral and written texts; and they will learnhow written and oral performances functiontogether in specific discourse communities. This course is associated with Anchor courses inReasoning and Values and it prepares students for Discourse II: Culture and Diversity.

Individualized description:

(Instructors will provide a more specific course description, depending on the anchor course with which their section is connected.)

Student Learning Outcomes:

Students will demonstrate an ability to:

Explore and analyze their own and others values through the use of multiple strategies that engage different sources and perspectives in written and oral discourse.
Identify and analyze how cultural context and assumptions play a role in the analysis and production of discourse.
Understand basic rhetorical concepts (audience, purpose, genre, convention, logos, ethos, pathos, logical fallacies, structure, etc.) and apply such concepts to the interpretation, analysis, and production of written and oral discourse.
Develop an introductory understanding of critical discourse analysis and critical language awareness.
Use written and oral discourse to develop and present meaningful and interesting ideas that show the students’ voice, a willingness to take intellectual risks, and an attempt to enter an academic conversation.
Create academic discourse through a basic process that includes editing, proofreading, and revising multiple drafts.
Interpret their own and others’ work and reflect on their own development as producers of discourse.
Construct basic research strategies, use appropriate research resources, learn to identify scholarly sources, and evaluate and cite those information sources.
Develop an introductory understanding of citation and an ability to appropriately cite sources using a consistent professional style (MLA, APA, Chicago, etc.).
Identify and address personal impediments to discourse production, including speech anxiety and writer’s block.

Core Assessment

Though there are different sections and instructors of Discourse 100, certain general expectations apply to every course: Discourse 100 students are required to draft, develop and complete a minimum of 12-16 pages of finished writing including at least two essays. Students are also required to draft, develop and present at least two speeches with a combined minimum total of 8-12minutes. Major assignments will engage in direct critical analysis of academic sources with an emphasis on Human Values and Ethical Reasoning. This work will be presented in a final summative portfolio at the end of the term. Constructive feedback and opportunities for comprehensive revision will be provided throughout. All formal work, written and spoken, will be graded using a rubric that applies the SLO's for Communications Skills.

Educational Philosophy:

Attendance:

Students are expected to attend and participate in classes. Advance notice of attendance policies of academic units and individual instructors should be given, and such notice should be in writing.

Students should notify instructors of excused absences in advance, where possible. Students who have an excused absence are expected to make arrangements with instructors for alternative or make-up work. Such arrangements should be made in advance of the absence, where possible.

Disability Support Services:

To obtain disability related accommodations and/or auxiliary aids, students with disabilities must contact the Office of Services for Students with Disabilities (OSSD) as soon as possible. To contact OSSD call 816-235-5696. Once verified, OSSD will notify the course instructor and outline the accommodation and/or auxiliary aids to be provided. For more information go to:

Discrimination Grievances and Procedures:

Academic Dishonesty:Plagiarism is the undocumented use of another’s ideas or words. In this course, you will learn how to conduct academic research, how to evaluate sources, and document them appropriately. Failure to adequately cite your research is plagiarism and is a serious offense that could jeopardize your future academic career.

Grade Appeals:

Writing Center:

A & S Life Coach: For more information regarding this program, please visit the following website: <mailto:.

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Resources & Policy Statements

Academic Calendar: Students are encouraged to review important add, drop or withdraw dates:

Academic Honesty: The Board of Curators of the University of Missouri recognizes that academic honesty is essential for the intellectual life of the University. Faculty members have a special obligation to expect high standards of academic honesty in all student work. Students have a special obligation to adhere to such standards. Academic dishonesty, including cheating, plagiarism or sabotage, is adjudicated through the University of Missouri Student Conduct Code and Rules of Procedures in Student Conduct Matters.

(Academic units may have additional student codes of behavior to be referenced, i.e. Honor Codes.)

Academic Inquiry, Course Discussion and Privacy: (Choose one of the following to include in the syllabus-- Faculty allowing recording or Faculty not allowing recording.)

Faculty allowing recording - University of Missouri System Executive Order No. 38 lays out principles regarding the sanctity of classroom discussions at the university. The policy is described fully in Section 200.015 of the Collected Rules and Regulations. In this class, students may make audio or video recordings of course activity unless specifically prohibited by the faculty member. However, the redistribution of any audio or video recordings of statements or comments from the course to individuals who are not students in the course is prohibited without the express permission of the faculty member and of any students who are recorded, including those recordings prepared by an instructor. Students found to have violated this policy are subject to discipline in accordance with provisions of Section 200.020 of the Collected Rules and Regulations of the University of Missouri pertaining to student conduct matters.

(OR)

Faculty not allowing recording - University of Missouri System Executive Order No. 38 lays out principles regarding the sanctity of classroom discussions at the university. The policy is described fully in Section 200.015 of the Collected Rules and Regulations. In this class, students may not make any audio or video recordings of course activity (including those recordings prepared by an instructor), except students permitted to record as an accommodation under Section 240.040 of the Collected Rules. All other students who record and/or distribute audio or video recordings of class activity are subject to discipline in accordance with provisions of Section 200.020 of the Collected Rules and Regulations of the University of Missouri pertaining to student conduct matters.

Those students who have written permission from the course instructor to record are not permitted to redistribute any audio or video recordings of statements or comments from the course to individuals who are not students in the course without the express permission of the faculty member and of any students who are recorded, including those recordings prepared by an instructor. Students found to have violated this policy are subject to discipline in accordance with provisions of Section 200.020 of the Collected Rules and Regulations of the University of Missouri pertaining to student conduct matters.

Attendance Policy:Students are expected to attend and participate in classes. Advance notice of attendance policies of academic units and individual instructors should be given, and such notice should be in writing. Students should notify instructors of excused absences in advance, where possible. Students who have an excused absence are expected to make arrangements with instructors for alternative or make-up work. Such arrangements should be made in advance of the absence, where possible. Instructors should accommodate excused absences to the extent that an accommodation can be made that does not unreasonably interfere with the learning objectives of the course or unduly burden the instructor. Attendance policies shall be applied in a non-discriminatory manner.

Campus Safety:Inclement weather, mass notification, and emergency response guide:

Counseling and Health Services Available at UMKC: UMKC students may experience many challengesin their lives while attending college – stress, depression, suicidality, trauma, relationship issues, health concerns, etc. As your professor I care about your success and well-being, and want to make you aware of some helpful resources on campus. The UMKC Counseling Center ( located at 4825 Troost in Room 206, offers a wide range of supportive services to students. Appointments can be made by calling 816.235.1635. UMKC Student Health and Wellness ( located at 4825 Troost in Room 115, offers a full range of health care and promotion services. Appointments can be scheduled online orSection 200.015 of the Collected Rules and Regulations. In this class, students may not make any audio or video recordings of course activity (including those recordings prepared by an instructor), except students permitted to record as an accommodation under Section 240.040 of the Collected Rules. All other students who record and/or distribute audio or video recordings of class activity are subject to discipline in accordance with provisions of Section 200.020 of the Collected Rules and Regulations of the University of Missouri pertaining to student conduct matters.

Attendance Policy:Students are expected to attend and participate in classes. Advance notice of attendance policies of academic units and individual instructors should be given, and such notice should be in writing. Students should notify instructors of excused absences in advance, where possible. Students who have an excused absence are expected to make arrangements with instructors for alternative or make-up work. Such arrangements should be made in advance of the absence, where possible. Instructors should accommodate excused absences to the extent that an accommodation can be made that does not unreasonably interfere with the learning objectives of the course or unduly burden the instructor. Attendance policies shall be applied in a non-discriminatory manner.

Campus Safety:Inclement weather, mass notification, and emergency response guide:

Counseling and Health Services Available at UMKC: UMKC students may experience many challengesin their lives while attending college – stress, depression, suicidality, trauma, relationship issues, health concerns, etc. As your professor I care about your success and well-being, and want to make you aware of some helpful resources on campus. The UMKC Counseling Center ( located at 4825 Troost in Room 206, offers a wide range of supportive services to students. Appointments can be made by calling 816.235.1635. UMKC Student Health and Wellness ( located at 4825 Troost in Room 115, offers a full range of health care and promotion services. Appointments can be scheduled online or by calling 816.235.6133. The MindBody Connection ( is located in the Atterbury Student Success Center in Room 112 and offers a variety of stress-reduction services.

Disability Support Services: To obtain disability related accommodations and/or auxiliary aids, students with disabilities must contact the Office of Services for Students with Disabilities (OSSD) as soon as possible. To contact OSSD, call (816) 235-5696. Once verified, OSSD will notify the course instructor and outline the accommodation and/or auxiliary aids to be provided. For more information go to:

English Proficiency Statement: Students who encounter difficulty in their courses because of the English proficiency of their instructors should speak directly with their instructors. If additional assistance is needed, students may contact the UMKC Help Line at 816-235-2222 for assistance.

Grade Appeal Policy: Students are responsible for meeting the standards of academic performance established for each course in which they are enrolled. The establishment of the criteria for grades and the evaluation of student academic performance are the responsibilities of the instructor.

The University grade appeal procedureis available only for the review of allegedly capricious grading and not for review of the instructor's evaluation of the student's academic performance. Capricious grading, as that term is used here, comprises any of the following:

• The assignment of a grade to a particular student on some basis other than the performance in the course;

• The assignment of a grade to a particular student according to more exacting or demanding standards than were applied to other students in the course; (Note: Additional or different grading criteria may be applied to graduate students enrolled for graduate credit in 300- and 400-level courses.)

• The assignment of a grade by a substantial departure from the instructor's previously announced standards.

Discrimination Grievance Procedures for Students: Discrimination Grievance Procedures for Students can be found here:

Statement of Human Rights: The Board of Curators and UMKC are committed to the policy of equal opportunity, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability and status as a Vietnam era veteran. Commitment to the policy is mentored by the Division of Diversity, Access & Equity, but it is the responsibility of the entire university community to provide equal opportunity through relevant practices, initiatives and programs.

Title IX: Under the University of Missouri’s Title IX policy, discrimination, violence and harassment based on sex, gender, and gender identity are subject to the same kinds of accountability and support applied to offenses based on other protected characteristics such as race, color, ethnic or national origin, sexual orientation, religion, age, ancestry, disability, military status, and veteran status. If you or someone you know has been harassed or assaulted, you can find the appropriate resources by visiting UMKC’s Title IX Office webpage ( or contacting UMKC’s Title IX Coordinator, Mikah K. Thompson (816.235.6910 or ). Additionally, you can file a complaint using UMKC’s online discrimination complaint form, which is located at

While most UMKC employees are required to report any known or suspected violation of Title IX, students may seek confidential guidance from the following campus locations:

UMKC Counseling Service
Volker Campus
4825 Troost Ave, Suite 206
Kansas City, MO 64110
Phone – (816) 235-1635 / UMKC Counseling Service
Health Sciences Campus
Health Sciences Building 1418
2464 Charlotte
Kansas City, MO 64108
Phone – (816) 235-1635
(open Tuesdays, 1-5pm) / Student Health and Wellness
4825 Troost Ave., Suite 115
Kansas City, MO 64110
Phone - (816) 235-6133

UMKC Connect:Important information is available to undergraduate students in UMKC Connect accessed through Blackboard. Throughout the term, students may receive emails regarding course grades or academic performance. Students are expected to address information posted in a timely fashion. This information may be shared with the student’s Success Network made up his or her academic advisor(s) and other campus resources so that UMKC may fully support the student’s success.

College of Arts & Sciences Course Policies & Resources

Discrimination Grievance Procedures for Students: Discrimination Grievance Procedures for Students can be found here:

While most UMKC employees are required to report any known or suspected violation of Title IX, students may seek confidential guidance from the following campus locations:

College of Arts & Sciences Course Policies & Resources

Please refer to the following web page and the linked resources for critical information regarding course policies and resources. You are expected to abide by all the rules and regulations regarding student conduct referenced in these pages.